Kuala Lumpur: American sensations Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis will add a healthy dose of glitz and glamour to the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011, after confirming their participation in what is expected to be a star-studded second edition of the event.
The four-day no-cut tournament, which will offer a richer purse of US$1.9 million will return to the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country (KLGCC) from October 13 – 16 and will feature the top 62 players from the LPGA Tour’s Official Money List along with 10 sponsors’ invites, ensuring that local and regional golf fans can catch their favourite golfers in action for the entire week.
Currently ranked ninth in the world, Creamer will aim to add to her impressive nine LPGA victories with a victory in Kuala Lumpur. A five-month layoff due a thumb injury saw her miss the 2010 edition of the event while Gulbis will be hoping to better her joint 12th finish at the inaugural event.
In the buid-up to the event, sponsors Sime Darby has arranged a five-day tour of Malaysia for the duo, highlighting the country’s tourism attractions and offerings. Creamer and Gulbis began their tour in Sabah on Monday and will travel to Sarawak, Melaka before arriving in Kuala Lumpur to conduct a clinic for the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Program players on Friday at the host venue.
Dato’ Wahab Maskan, Chief Operating Officer of Sime Darby Berhad and Managing Director of Sime Darby Property said, “We are delighted that Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis have confirmed their participation in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011 which we hope will once again showcase the battle of the world’s top ladies golfers on our very own turf at KLGCC and we look forward to hosting another fantastic tournament in October.”
Commenting on both players tourism activities ahead of the tournament, Dato’ Wahab further said, “We believe the project will not only help to showcase the beauty and rich cultural heritage that Malaysia has to offer but also highlight Sime Darby’s conservation efforts in the region.”
The visiting stars toured the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, where they witnessed the Orangutans being fed by the sanctuary personnel. They even posed for photographs with the Orangutans, much to their fans’ delight.
“It was incredible to go to Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, especially to be there during feeding time! There’s so much to see here and I’m so excited to be touring Malaysia. I’m really looking forward to being back in October for this year’s tournament,” said a cheerful Creamer, famous for her all-pink attire.
A crowd favourite at last year’s edition, Gulbis is looking forward to her return to KLGCC’s East Course in October for the tournament proper. “Last year’s tournament was a fantastic event and I look forward to being back at KLGCC later this week to play on the course and to speak to the young girls taking part in the Development Program. This week has already been a real eye-opener on Malaysia’s wonders,” she noted.
“Creamer was missed last year, so her confirmation in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011 is exciting for both the LPGA Tour and the fans. Having Gulbis and Creamer here it is also evident that Asia and more specifically Malaysia is now fully recognised as a venue for world-class international golfing events, which we look forward to another grand line up come October,” said Robbie Henchman, Senior Vice President and Global Co-Managing Director of IMG Golf.
